The summer evening, the wildflower field and my friend Megan’s freckles begged for a portrait session.

I had been watching the new season of Call the Midwife and there’s always the part at the end when the narrator comes on with something beautiful that ties together the entire episode’s story. I transcribed the bit and used it as inspiration.

I love Megan. I love her courage and wit, her tenacity and honesty. We’ve shared years of conversations and we’re not too shy to hold each other’s hands and sit silence when words aren’t enough to fix the troubles.

I met Elizabeth a few years ago at a photography workshop in Tennessee. She was this glorious redhead with the deep south accent. Her laugh is loud and genuine. She missed her baby boys over the weekend.

The following year, on my way to Florida, I stopped over in Mississippi and met her little family for a portrait session in a sunflower field. It was one of the hottest nights I can remember, with the ugliest fire ants ants and the prettiest sunsets. I chased her two tow-headed boys through the flower patch, along a little stream. We were all dripping wet and muddy and laughing by the end of the evening together.

This year, we passed through the little town again and this time I got to meet her baby girl. Her sweet thighs and big blue eyes…. just slayed me. When the sun set and it was time to head back to the hotel, I felt sad. I love watching Elizabeth with her babies. She is a mama bear full of crazy love.

It is so interesting to first meet a mother when she is away from her nest. I met an incredible women that weekend in Tennessee, but I only met a part of her. She is fully herself when her arms are full of her babies, brushing hair out of their eyes, kissing their boo-boos, hugging her husband who she clearly adores.

I was recently reading an article and came across a beautiful passage from the Dead Sea Scrolls. I know these documents are even now being recovered and with each new discovery, the historical context and validity of the bible are more evident.

Clay and dust that I am,

what can I devise unless Thou wish it,

and what contrive unless Thou desire it?

What strength shall I have

unless Thou keep me upright

and how shall I understand

unless by (the spirit) which Thou hast shaped for me?

(IQH XVIII [FORMERLY X], 5-7)

When the wicked rose against Thy Covenant

and the damned against Thy word,

I said in my sinfulness,

‘I am forsaken by Thy Covenant.’

But calling to mind the might of Thy hand

and the greatness of Thy compassion,

I rose and stood…

I lean on Thy grace

and on the multitude of Thy mercies.

(IQH XII [formerly Iv], 34-7)

I’m not sure why, but I’ve always thought of the Dead Sea scrolls as inaccessible or inapplicable to my life. I felt quite overwhelmed when I read these words and realized how truly timeless our Father’s word truly is.

About a year ago we left on an ambitious two week road trip. We pointed the car west and took off. First stop- Amarillo, Texas where we’d made fast friends with a couple who own the cutest AirBnB. I mean, seriously, I felt like I’d met a long lost sister- except she’s about half my size and age and a beautiful Persian. We shared the same birthday, she’s an AMAZING photographer, their style is impeccable, and they love people well. Of course we booked them and were super excited to hike through the Palo Duro Canyon, eat Mexican and stay up late visiting with them.

To be honest, I’ve been reluctant to compile a video of the trip because I lost the memory card of my most favorite two days of the 14. After traveling through the desert terrain and heat for 5 days, when we hit the cool, lush Sequoia National Park and Yosemite, it felt magical in every way. We meandered through the magnificent trees, hiked near the waterfalls and stood in wonder under the shadow of El Capitan. It felt wonderful taking pictures and video of my family during these two days. Even a year later, I feel grieved over the loss of that tiny SD card. I cried for 200 miles that day when I realized it had fallen from a pocket.

So all that to say, I’m excited to finally share this (incomplete) version of our epic road trip. So many memories made in that 4500 mile journey and all without an argument or complaint from the kids.

No. Seriously.

I’ll be working on more posts from our trip in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!

We don’t have many family traditions, but when we moved into our little neighborhood about 10 years ago, there was an annual celebration on our doorstep. Little flags were placed in every yard, a grand bicycle parade began as soon as the ribbons were awarded and the fire trucks showed up.

Since that first year, we’ve spent our 4th of July poolside until early evening.

About 10am, the neighborhood pool opens and the festivities begin- relay races, belly flop and big splash contests, watermelon bobbing, goldfish scrambles. Grilled corn and burgers, cotton candy and watermelon slices, loads of friends and sunshine make for a wonderful Fourth of July.

I have to admit that the first year all three of my kids came in last in their age groups in the races. I vowed that the next year, they would be up for the challenge. I may have threatened them a little- maybe something along the lines of, “If you don’t place in the top three, don’t come home…” But I wouldn’t do that, would I?

(We did enroll them in competitive swimming and all three swept the contests the following year.)

Jack is a little obsessed with fireworks and saves his pennies to buy his own little stockpile to set off that evening.

In March of this year, Maggie hit a new level of design and craftsmanship. Puppetry is not really her forte, but she was tasked with designing and creating Sandy, the beloved dog and constant sidekick of Annie.

I have to admit, watching the design process is painful. It can seem like it will never really come to fruition. There were a lot frustrating late nights and frantic runs for new and different hardware. I believe with each of these creative project, Maggie’s character grows in obvious ways. Her tenacity is fierce. Her dedication is intense. Her process is long and arduous. But she always pulls out these amazing things- and I couldn’t be more proud of the artist she’s becoming.

Puppeteer Esseney Smith

Watching the audience react to Sandy was awesome. Little kids would wave and call out to her as if she was alive. And after the show, Sandy was swamped with fans. Of course, none of Sandy’s animation would have been possible without the incredibly talented puppeteer, Esseney Smith. She jumped into the role days before the show and made Sandy a star!

Another great show produced by Courtyard Theatre was Oklahoma Jr. It was so fun to see Maggie’s creations up on stage AND Poppy performing as Ado Annie. She stole the show with her hilarious acting and brilliant vocals.

Photo by Holly Peevyhouse

See the goose on the right? One of Maggie’s characters come to life.

photo by Holly Peevyhouse

Maggie also had her first opportunity to work as a puppeteer with an amazing, life-size horse puppet which was originally created for War Horse.